Winter is here, and that means lots of snow, ice, and poor driving conditions. While you can’t control the weather, you can ensure your vehicle is fully prepared for all that mother nature has to throw at it. Here are a few essential vehicle maintenance tips for the winter season.
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Check Your Tire Pressure
Extreme temperatures cause tire pressure to fluctuate. Low tire pressure decreases traction, but it also reduces fuel economy for a bigger bill at the pump. Check pressure when filling up and make sure your tires contain the PSI labeled on the interior of the driver’s door.
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Replace Your Wipers
Wipers are crucial for good visibility on the road. They should be replaced once every six months, but you should also look out for peeling rubber, streaking, and other issues while your wipers are in use. Scraping ice and snow off your windshield before driving also improves visibility and will prevent your wipers from becoming worn out too quickly.
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Wash and Wax Your Vehicle
Lots of places use salt to melt ice and snow on the roads. While effective, salt corrodes metal and can really do a number on your vehicle. During the winter, wash your car or truck once every two weeks to prevent rust. You should also wax the vehicle once every three to four months, as wax creates a protective layer over the paint to ward off scratches.
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Have Your Brakes Inspected
Driving on slick or icy roads can be treacherous, especially when your brakes aren’t fully functional. Brake inspections should take place annually, but it’s not a bad idea to have them inspected in the fall and winter, as stopping ability is crucial when skidding on wet pavement. You mechanic can replace worn pads and look for other defects that might hinder your vehicle’s ability to stop on a dime.
Whether you need body work, brake inspections, or routine vehicle maintenance, ABC Paint & Body is here to help. Located in Las Cruces, our team of skilled mechanics offer collision repair and automotive maintenance to keep your vehicle running all year long. And while drivers in New Mexico won’t deal with winter ice and snow, we can make sure your vehicle is ready for all sorts of driving conditions.
Please call 575-524-2004 to schedule an appointment at our shop. You can also contact us for more information on our services.
